Chasing growth without clarity can quietly erode your business. In this second episode of a seven-part series, Andres Zylberberg, Richard Peake and I explore how the relentless pressure to get bigger – driven by psychology, DNA and societal cues – often leads entrepreneurs down the wrong path. 

Without intention, this pursuit of “bigger” causes drift – teams grow toxic, customers indifferent, offerings mediocre, and profits thin. By focusing on “better” over “bigger,” businesses can build stronger teams, deeper customer loyalty, and more refined offerings. With clarity, discipline, and intention, growth becomes the by-product of a better business – and a better life! – designed, not defaulted. 

Takeaways 

• Teams naturally drift toward toxicity without intentional leadership and cultural alignment over time. 
• Customers become indifferent when offerings lack consistency, innovation, and meaningful engagement. 
• Clarity, discipline, and design create lasting business and personal success. 
• Impulsive risk-taking often stems from unexamined psychological, genetic, and societal conditioning. 
• Many business goals are actually expenses mistakenly seen as markers of success. 
• Growth without strategy leads to erosion of profitability, purpose, and team cohesion. 
• Better businesses emerge from compounding small improvements across people, products, and profit. 
• A clear definition of “winning” prevents entrepreneurs from chasing the wrong goals. 

Details of my new book:
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life) https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/ 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

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Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/ 

Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 

Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. 

Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. 

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